Twist lock self-aligning bearing system

Abstract

A self-aligning bearing is held against a plurality of seats by a spring retainer having an opening in it, the annular edge of the opening in the spring retainer forming a second seat for the bearing. The retainer has a plurality of tabs formed along its periphery. A plurality of receptacles are provided, each receptacle including a closed bottom, open mouth channel which is sized to receive the tabs. The retainer is positioned by flexing the tabs and rotating the retainer into the channel. A unique lubricating system constructed from oil retentive material is provided for lubriating the bearing.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: 
     
       1. A twist lock, self-aligning bearing assembly, comprising: a hub, said hub having an axial opening in it defined by a first wall, said hub having a second wall spaced from and outboard of said first wall;   bearing means mounted in the axial opening;   wick means for providing lubrication to said bearing means positioned about said bearing means, said wick means having a part extending between said first wall and said second wall and directed axially outwardly of said hub;   receptacle means formed along said second wall, said receptacle means extending radially inwardly of said hub, said receptacle means including an abutment surface spaced axially from said first wall, and an open mouth channel having at least one closed side, said abutment surface bounding a portion of said channel; and   retainer means having a central portion, an aperture in said central portion defined by an annular seat in engagement with said bearing means, said retainer means defining tabs on the outer boundary thereof, said tabs being sized for reception in the channel of said receptacle means and being insertable therein by rotational movement of said retainer means, said retainer means being deflected for insertion in said channel along said tabs, said tabs being held against said abutment surface in stress condition, said retainer being rotatable in the channel of said receptacle means until said tabs meet the closed side of said channel.   
     
     
       2. The bearing assembly of claim 1 wherein said bearing means has a plurality of grooves formed in it, said first wall having a plurality of protrusions formed in it, said protrusions being insertable in the grooves for positioning said bearing means. 
     
     
       3. The bearing assembly of claim 2 wherein said bearing means is spherical. 
     
     
       4. The bearing assembly of claim 3 further including packing means in fluid communication with said wick means. 
     
     
       5. The bearing assembly of claim 4 wherein said packing means has an irregular edge. 
     
     
       6. The bearing assembly of claim 4 wherein said retainer means is constructed from spring steel. 
     
     
       7. The bearing assembly of claim 1 wherein the abutment surface of said receptacle means has a lead chamfer formed in it. 
     
     
       8. A twist lock, self-aligning bearing assembly, comprising: a hub, said hub including a first wall, a second wall concentric with said first wall, said first wall defining an axial opening through said hub, said hub having a passage in it between said first wall and said second wall;   bearing means mounted in the axial opening;   lubrication system means for providing lubrication to said bearing means, said lubrication system means including a part extending along the passage between said first wall and said second wall;   receptacle means formed along said second wall and extending inwardly of said hub, said receptacle means including an abutment surface spaced axially from said first wall and an open mouth channel having at least one closed side, said abutment surface bounding a portion of said channel; and   retainer means having a central portion, an aperture in said central portion defined by an annular seat in engagement with said bearing means, said retainer means defining tabs on the outer boundary thereof, said tabs being sized for reception in the channel of said receptacle means and being insertable therein by rotational movement of said retainer means, at least the tabs of said retainer means being deflected for inserting the tabs in said receptacle means, said tabs being held against said abutment suface in stress condition after insertion, the closed side of said channel delimiting a stop for tab rotation during such insertion.   
     
     
       9. The bearing assembly of claim 8 wherein said lubrication system means comprises wick means positioned about said bearing means, said wick means forming the part of said lubrication system means extending along the passage between said first wall and said second wall. 
     
     
       10. The bearing assembly of claim 9 further including packing means in fluid communication with said wick means, said packing means including an elongated structure having a serrated side along at least one edge thereof, said structure being formed in a cylindrical structure having said serrated side along an end of said cylindrical structure, the serration of said side being directed axially outward of said hub.